spanng="EN"(Olivia’s POV)

spanng="EN"Beta Tristan pushed the door open and came in. He rarely broke in without Matthew’s permission, looking somewhat urgent.

spanng="EN"“Alpha King, this is not good.” He held up a tablet for Matthew and me to see. “It’s trending.”

spanng="EN"A series of malicious hashtags filled the screen: #AlphaKaneMarksARejectee#, #Abandoned HerMateAndPup#, #WhatAPitifulChild #, #Shameless SheWolf#.

spanng="EN"The vicious nder was clearly aimed at me. My face turned pale as I read each cruel word.

spanng="EN"The secret I had tried so hard to keep was finally exposed. Every carefully constructed wall I’d built around my past was crumbling.

spanng="EN"Alpha King and Queen, rest assured, apart from a photo of the Crimson Pack’s young heir, there’s nothing else,” Tristan quickly added.

spanng="EN"Just then, Matthew’s phone rang. It was a call that had bypassed his Beta, indicating its importance.

spanng="EN"Before answering, he looked at Tristan with a calm, unruffled expression. He gave a series ofmands with the authority of a king.

spanng="EN"“Take down the trending topics. Bring the pup in. And find a healer.”

spanng="EN"I knew he was referring to Leo. Despite my deep reluctance to see my son, I understood that leaving a pup crying in the rain would be detrimental to the Kane royal family’s reputation.

spanng="EN"It seemed bringing him in was our only option. I didn’t object.

spanng="EN"“I will handle things,” Matthew said softly to me while taking the call.

spanng="EN"He reached for my hand, feeling how tightly I was clenching it. My nails were digging into my palm, drawing blood.

spanng="EN"On the phone, a stern voice delivered an ultimatum: “If you mark her, you will no longer be my student.”

spanng="EN"It was his mentor, furious about the marking. The voice was using the scandal as leverage to threaten Matthew’s position.

spanng="EN"Matthew calmly dealt with the pressure, his voice steady and controlled. Then he gently pried my hand open.

spanng="EN"Seeing the bloody imprints, he applied moonlight herb salve to the marks. He lied smoothly, “It was nothing.”

spanng="EN"He then looked at me seriously. “The marking ceremony… I’m afraid it can’t be a low–key affair anymore.”

spanng="EN"He intended to make our bond an undeniable fact. The determination in his golden eyes was unmistakable.

spanng="EN"“From now on, call me by my name,” he added. There was a hint of anticipation in his otherwise cid tone.

spanng="EN"Lost in my thoughts, I softlyplied, “Matthew.”

spanng="EN"Leo was carried in by Beta Tristan, his small face deathly pale. He struggled out of the Beta’s arms and stumbled.

spanng="EN"Then he scrambled towards me, his voice choked with sobs, “Mom…”

spanng="EN"Rainwater and tears streamed down his face. A Royal Guard blocked his path, and Leo copsed to his knees.

spanng="EN"“Mom, I know I was wrong,” he cried out. His voice was clearer than I remembered, cutting through my defenses.

spanng="EN"“I won’t cause trouble anymore, I won’t call ra ‘mommy, and I don’t want Rosie. I only want you, Mom.”

spanng="EN"The sight of my son, so broken and desperate, triggered a horrifying shback. The image of myself copsing at the pack infirmary door shed before my eyes.

spanng="EN"Blood spread beneath me in that memory. The agony, both physical and emotional, was as fresh as if it were happening all over again.

spanng="EN"Unable to bear it, I turned away from Leo. I buried my face in Matthew’s chest, seeking refuge from the pain.

spanng="EN"(Matthew’s POV)

spanng="EN"Seeing his mother’s rejection, Leo’s heart broke. He crumpled to the floor in a heap of despair, his small body shaking with sobs.

spanng="EN"I signaled Tristan, who quickly picked up the pup. He carried him to an adjacent room, away from the painful scene.

spanng="EN"To pull Olivia from her dark thoughts, I gently prompted, “Go to work. Didn’t you find a clue?”

spanng="EN"I knew her work was what could restore her spirit. The distraction was necessary to keep her grounded.

spanng="EN"The distraction worked. Olivia stood up abruptly, bumping into me.

spanng="EN"As I steadied her, her forehead brushed against my throat. It was an idental, fleeting touch she barely noticed.

spanng="EN"But it brought a rare, faint smile to my lips. The brief contact sent warmth through my chest.

spanng="EN"She moved past me to my desk, her focus shifting entirely. Her professional instincts were taking over.

spanng="EN"“Matthew, look…” she began, her voice filled with the excitement of discovery.

spanng="EN"“I found an ount in the European Territory under Silvanus Thorne’s name. Every month, funds are transferred into a North American ount.”

spanng="EN"She exined that the owner of that overseas ount also had a European ount with substantial deposits. Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she spoke.

spanng="EN"“I’ve identified his fund manager. Silvanus JR must have been operating the ount while his father was in prison.”

spanng="EN"“I’ve already hacked into both of their phones. I should have something soon.”

spanng="EN"I leaned over her, my hands braced on the desk. I listened intently to her analysis, impressed by her thoroughness.

spanng="EN"“Once you solve this case,” I said, “you’ll make a name for yourself in the territory.”

spanng="EN"(Olivia’s POV)

spanng="EN"Our conversation was interrupted by the healer entering the room. His expression was grave as he approached us.

spanng="EN"“Alpha King, Luna, the pup has a weak constitution. He has heart disease.”

spanng="EN"The words struck me like a physical blow. My hand tightened into a fist, nails cutting into my palm again.

spanng="EN"“He has a high fever and inmmation,” the healer continued. “The father doesn’t know his medication history or if he has any allergies.”

spanng="EN"My gaze dropped to the floor. The guilt was overwhelming, crushing my chest.

spanng="EN"“Use moonlight herb extract,” I said quietly, my voice barely a whisper. “He has an allergic constitution and is allergic to peanuts.”

spanng="EN"Just like Aurora. The gic simrity was undeniable, a painful reminder of our connection. As the healer turned to leave, he hesitated. He added something that made my blood run cold.

spanng="EN"“The pup has many scars, both old and new. I suspect he’s been abused.”

spanng="EN"Horror washed over me like ice water. My entire body went rigid with shock and rage.

spanng="EN"I looked up, my eyes locking onto the figure standing in the doorway. It was Theodore, his dark eyes a bottomless abyss.

spanng="EN"I rose from my chair and walked towards him. Each step felt heavy, weighted with fury and disbelief.

spanng="EN"He watched me approach, his expression softening with love. The word ‘mate‘ was forming on his lips.

spanng="EN"Before he could speak, my hand swung through the air. The sharp c***k of a p echoed in the silent room.

spanng="EN"My furious voice trembled as I confronted him, “Are you even a human being?”